Rating: **
(2 stars)
Title: Johnny
the Fox
Company: Mercury
Catalog: SRM-1-1119
Year: 1976
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor
ring, edge and corner wear; original inner sleeve with lyrics
Available: 1
Price: $8.00
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Having used his recuperation period as an opportunity to write material for the next album, Lynott and company returned to the charts with 1976's
"Johnny the Fox". Reunited with producer Alcock, the album wasn't a major departure from their previous release. Musically the set offered up another mix of hard rock ("Rocky", "Massacre" and "Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed") and ballads ("Fools Gold" and "Old Flame"). On the other hand, Lynott's 10 songs were interesting in that they were thematically linked, forming a concept piece (albeit with a plot line lost to most listeners). Propelled by Lynott's gutsy voice and Gorham and Robertson's twin guitars, material such as the title track, "Borderline" (one of Lynott's prettiest melodies) and "Don't Believe a Word" were among the band's best performances. That said, the overall results weren't as fresh or impressive as the previous release, several tracks coming off as little more than rehashed version of earlier material. Savaged by critics, the set still proved a major English success. Unfortunately, a planned American tour opening for Queen was abruptly cancelled when guitarist Robertson damaged his hand in a bar fight. Sticking up for
friend/Scottish singer Frankie Miller, Robertson was rewarded by having a bottle busted across his hand. In spite of the promotional setback, the collection managed to hit #56 in the States.
"Johnny the Fox" track listing:
1.) Johnny (Phil Lynott) - 4:23
2.) Rocky (Phil Lynott - Scott Gorham - Brian Downey) - 2:41
3.) Borderline (Phil Lynott - Robbie Robertson) - 4:32
4.) Don't Believe a Word (Phil Lynott) - 2:18
5.) Fool's Gold (Phil Lynott) - 3:51
6.) Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed (Phil Lynott - Scott Gorham - Brian Downey) - 3:42
7.) Old Flame (Phil Lynott) - 3:08
8.) Massacre (Phil Lynott - Scott Gorham - Brian Downey) - 2:58
9.) Sweet Marie (Phil Lynott - Scott Gorham) - 3:55
10.) Boogie Woogie Dance (Phil Lynott) - 3:08
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Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Bad
Reputation
Company: Mercury
Catalog: SRM-1-1186
Year: 1977
Grade
(cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: minor
ring wear
Available: 1
Price: $8.00
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With Robertson officially out of the line up, 1977's
"Bad Reputation" found Lizzy billed as a trio - Downey, Gorham and Lynott (though late in the recording session Robertson was brought in to add guitar to several tracks). Recorded in Toronto, Canada the set was co-produced by the band and Tony
Visconti. Anyone expecting a major change in musical direction was bound to have been disappointed by the patented mix of rockers and ballads. The title track, "Opium Trail" and "Killer without a Cause" provided standard slash and burn pyrotechnics, while "Southbound" and "Dear Lord" were among Lynott's best ballads. Elsewhere the surprisingly upbeat "Dancing In the Moonlight" should've been a major pop hit. Certainly better than "Johnny the Fox", the overall result may have been their strongest and most commercial release, though the album failed to generate much attention in the States.
"Bad Reputation" track listing:
1.) Soldier of Fortune (Phil Lynott) - 5:18
2.) Bad Reputation (Brian Downey - Scott Gorham - Phil Lynott) - 3:09
3.) Opium Trail (Brian Downey - Scott Gorham - Phil Lynott) - 3:58
4.) Southbound (Phil Lynott) - 4:27
5.) Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me In the Spotlight (Phil Lynott) - 3:26
6.) Killer Without a Cause (Scott Gorham - Phil Lynott) - 3:33
7.) Downtown Sundown (Phil Lynott) - 4:08
8.) That Woman's Gonna Break Your Heart (Phil Lynott) - 3:25
9.) Dear Lord (Scott Gorham - Phil Lynott) - 4:26
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